Green computing’s place in the enthusiast scene

This question is one that many manufacturers, retailers and even enthusiasts themselves are asking. To try and pick whether it is a ‘for’ or ‘against’ argument, it is important to first get a grasp of what an ‘enthusiast’ is.

Over the past few years the concept, image and perceived understanding of the ‘enthusiast’ has taken on a wholly new complexion for everyone outside of the enthusiast space. The mistaken image is one of an individual or group that will pay outlandish prices for hardware and cares not for the power usage of the components that make up the system specifications. In reality, this couldn’t be further from the majority truth, and only identifies a niche within this subset of the ‘enthusiast’ grouping.

There’s no denying the fact that the enthusiast is more often than not the influential IT decision maker within their family or group of friends. Not only does this make them important from the viewpoint of brand and perceptive influence, but simply giving the thumbs up or the thumbs down to a product can have a cascading effect resulting in multiple gained or missed sales, all depending on how the swing goes.

So what does this all have to do with the enthusiast and Green computing? Well there lies a definitive split that separates the enthusiast sector.

One end of the spectrum is comparable to Formula 1 and Top Fuel dragsters. The Top Fuel dragsters burn nitro-methane fuel and accelerate to 500km/h in five seconds, effectively obtaining the outright maximum performance with large costs in a burst to get to the end of the track. This is very similar to extreme overclockers (a subset within the enthusiast brackets) using liquid nitrogen to cool components and achieve world record frequencies and benchmark results. Whereas Formula One burns fuel that is very similar to that found publically available at the pumps, the cars are tuned for specific performance capabilities – this is akin to a performance-oriented enthusiast wishing to obtain high speed and response, all the while assuring there is sufficient stability to finish a lengthy session of their favourite game.

So far, yes the enthusiast does look like a wasteful individual however there are areas not yet mentioned. Enthusiasts, being the tech-savvy people that they are, have the knowledge to make smart choices, often selecting hardware that is efficient in terms of power usage, avoids the use of heavy metals and at the end of the day will dispose of old parts responsibly.

The second area yet to be mentioned is an area of interest, also within the enthusiast realm, which could be considered the polar opposite to the liquid nitrogen-pouring extreme overclockers; this ‘reverse extreme overclocker’ is the ‘undervolter’. This term is used to describe an enthusiast who, instead of overclocking, and thus overvolting, their system, they instead choose to undervolt the system – less volts, less power used, less damaging to the environent.

Within design parameters there is always a level of overkill mapped into the final design to ensure that every single sample will work in an outlined situation. This commonly means, for example, that a 65nm Intel Core 2 Duo with a stock core voltage specification of 1.35v could be tuned to actually run at 1.275v or lower given the appropriate environment, stability testing and a dash of luck in regards to the hardware’s capability – much like the luck involved in a high overclock.

At the end of the day, to be greener with one’s computing is a good thing. We need to work together to preserve our earth for future generations but this doesn’t mean we cannot enjoy our computing in all shapes and forms.

If you wish to be a Top Fuel enthusiast, consider power saving elsewhere or perhaps purchasing carbon offset credits. For the undervolters out there, keep on kickin’ and share the word, let people know of the ability to undervolt a system while maintaining stability.

As for the manufacturers, distributors and retailers, do your part by ensuring quality energy-efficient components are available and share the knowledge of Green computing.

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